Willis G Heck

Willis Gene Heck of Newton, died 03/31/2026.

Born on September 10,1933, the eldest of seven children, Willis was born to Gilbert and Eleanor (Walters) Heck on the family farm near Morrowville, Kansas.

He graduated from Morrowville High School in 1951. He then graduated from Sterling College, Sterling, Kansas in 1956, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree. He received a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas. Willis received his School Psychology Certification and Educational Administration Certification from Emporia State University, as well.

Willis began his 39 years of work as an educator as a teacher and coach at Union 5 Grade School in Sterling, Kansas. He was also a teacher and coach at South Hutchinson Grade School. He moved to the Hutchinson Public School system as a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, moving on to teacher, school psychologist and Principal at Sherman Junior High School then as the District Office Administrator and Associate Superintendent.

Willis was the Superintendent of Schools in Parsons, Kansas from 1981-1990. Moving to Newton, Kansas in 1990, he became the Superintendent of Schools there beginning in 1991 until retiring in 1995.

Following retirement, he worked as a consultant helping various school districts develop master facility plans. He was elected to the Newton City Commission in 1999 and served 14 years. This included serving several terms as mayor. He was actively involved in various civic, service, and charitable organizations. He served on several committees related to city work including some at the state level.

He served on several boards in Newton including The Chamber of Commerce, NMC Health and Prairie View. He was selected as Citizen of the Year by The Chamber in 2006. The Kansas Hospital Association honored him as the Trustee of the Year in 2014 and 2021. He greatly enjoyed his work in the various public areas.

He was an active member of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jimmy, Gilbert, Dennis, and Marvin; and sisters, Wanda and Eleanor.

Willis married Jan Koerperich in 1985. She survives. He is also survived by children, Douglas of Duluth, Minnesota, Bradley (Jeanie) of Nickerson, Kansas, and Michael Heck of Ft. Collins, Colorado; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Willis will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church. A private family inurnment will be held in Greenwood Cemetery Newton

Memorial donations may be made to:

Newton Rotary Foundation

newtonrotarykansas.org

(620)960-3482

or:

Trinity Heights UMC

1200 Boyd Avenue

Newton KS 67114

(316)283-6410

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